Golf Form Guide 
/ Mike Norman / 27 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Italian starlet Matteo Manassero
"Of the European Tour professionals on show Matteo Manassero is easily the class act in the field, and after finishing second and sixth in the last two weeks he is the form player too
Whilst most people are turning their attention to next week's Masters there's still a relatively big prize to be won in Texas this week, whilst in Europe, a young Italian is hoping to win in his homeland says Mike Norman.
Although I didn't select the winner personally, the Form Guide fared pretty well at last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Tiger Woods, fourth on our list prior to last week, was an emphatic winner and I'm sure a popular selection amongst many of you. Add to that, Kevin Na - a big price recommendation - and Ernie Els both recorded top-five finishes, so all in all it wasn't a bad week.
On the subject of Woods it was great to see him almost back to his best. Two years ago I said he will never be the same player again; obviously referring to the pre-scandal Tiger Woods. Whilst there's a distinct possibility I could now be wrong in that regard I feel I was more than justified with my comments.
It was plainly obvious that Woods had other issues on his mind than just golf during 2010 and for the most part of last year, and I made some decent money laying him on a regular basis. Based on this year's performances however, Woods - barring Rory McIlroy perhaps - looks the man everyone has to beat again.
The former world number one, Tiger that is, can be backed at just [5.3] to win next week's US Masters, whilst McIlroy is available to back at [6.8].
PGA Tour - Shell Houston Open
(Tournaments used: Arnold Palmer Invitational, Transitions Championship, WGC Cadillac Championship, Puerto Rico Open, Honda Classic, Mayakoba Classic, Northern Trust Open, AT&T Pebble Beach)
Phil Mickelson (2)... 26.5 (W 2011)
Charl Schwartzel (2)... 18 (T5 2010)
Lee Westwood (2)... 17.5 (T10 2010)
Graeme McDowell (2)... 13.5
Keegan Bradley (2)... 11.5
Henrik Stenson (1)... 11.5 (T5 2009)
*number in brackets after a player's name is the number of top-10 finishes achieved in last six weeks/tournaments on tour
**information after a players' points relates to wins (W), top-five (T5) and top-10 (T10) finishes in corresponding tournament in previous three years
I have mixed feelings about this week's Shell Houston Open. Given that it's incredibly difficult for a golfer to win back-to-back tournaments I always wonder why anyone teeing it up at next week's Masters would want to win in Texas this week. I remember Steve Rawlings - aka The Punter and a big Phil Mickelson fan - being gutted that Lefty won here last year without the great man (Steve that is) having a penny on.
I know Lee Westwood's putting will need to improve massively if he is to win at Augusta in 10 days time, but as I've already backed him for the Masters I'm not overly keen on him winning this week. But as the betting indicates, Westy has every chance of triumphing here. He has been in decent form of late - as he always is - and finished eighth (2010) and 11th (2009) at this venue in recent years.
Mickelson heads this week's Form Guide but that's thanks largely to his form from six weeks ago as well as winning this event in 2011. He's gone off the boil recently and I'd much rather back Charl Schwartzel and Keegan Bradley, both of whom are far more consistent and arguably better players these days.
Recommended Bets: Lee Westwood @ [13.0], Charl Schwartzel @ [25.0], Keegan Bradley @ [20.0]
European Tour - Sicilian Open
(Tournaments used: Trophee Hassan II, Open de Andalucia, WGC Cadillac Championship, Avantha Masters, Dubai Desert Classic)
Matteo Manassero (2)... 13
Jose-Manuel Lara... 10 (T5 2011*)
Raphael Jacquelin... 9.5 (W 2011*)
*2011 Sicilian Open was played at a different venue to the one being used this week
I hate putting up favourites, especially in single figures, as my main selection but there's absolutely no getting away from young Matteo Manassero this week. Of the European Tour professionals on show he is easily the class act in the field, and after finishing second and sixth in the last two weeks he is the form player too. Adding further confidence is the fact that he is playing in his homeland at a venue that is pretty much virgin to everyone.
Recommended Bet: Matteo Manassero @ [8.6], Jose-Manuel Lara @ [60.0]
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